Regional Community Paper 'Sumida Hochi' Publishes Special Edition for Edo-Tokyo Museum Reopening [Sports Hochi]

Hochi Shimbun (President: Tsuyoshi Hasegawa), publisher of Sports Hochi, has issued a special tabloid edition (8 pages, full-color) of its regional community quarterly, 'Sumida Hochi,' which is distributed for free primarily in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, where the company's head office is located. The special edition celebrates the 'revival' of the Edo-Tokyo Museum on March 31st, following approximately four years of large-scale renovations. The unique building, designed by architect Kiyonori Kikutake, has been transformed into a spot packed with new attractions. With actor Shunsuke Kazama, a Sumida native, appointed as the 'Edo-Haku' renewal supporter, the city of Sumida invites you to take a trip back to the Edo period! The special edition introduces limited-time events and new highlights of the museum, and also features a special inclusion of the 'Ryogoku Town Walk Kawaraban' (final issue) produced by the Sumida Ward Tourism Division. In anticipation of the museum's reopening after four years, the city of Sumida is hosting a series of commemorative events on March 31st under the banner 'Welcome Back! Edo-Haku' around the west exit of JR Ryogoku Station. At the station-connected Edo NOREN, there will be traditional Edo games like menko and demonstrations by traditional craft preservation societies. At the Ryogoku Station Hirokoji, in addition to Sumo Jinku (sumo folk songs), performers dressed as 'Edo Yokai'—recreating the monster craze of the Edo period—will gather. Performances of song and dance inspired by the Bon Odori, which flourished during that era, will be showcased, along with street parades. The special edition includes the event schedule and introduces the museum's highlights with photographs.